Flicker of Inspiration Prompt and Linkup #63: Storm

After soliciting ideas for prompts last week, you guys really came through! I'll be using each idea proposed in the coming weeks. If you have any more ideas, please feel free to let us know in the comments section. This community started off small and intimate with a focus on its members and community, and what better way to reflect that focus than by letting our members choose the prompts?

As we attempt to get back on track, I'll be posting a prompt and linkup every Sunday. You'll have through Wednesday to post a response.

This week's prompt comes from community member Allison of Rambling Follower. In light of the Super Storm Sandy and her victims on the East Coast, Allison proposed that we tackle the following prompt:

Storm. 

I believe this prompt also fits in with the rainy season that this blog has been through lately, so I think it's pretty darn fitting. We'd like you to take the word "Storm" and write a blog post around it. It can be a response to the devastation of Sandy or a reflection on the stormy days of life. You can share fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.

Remember, you have until Wednesday night at midnight Eastern Standard Time to linkup.

Hope you'll join us!!! And thanks for the prompt idea, Allison!

Flicker of Inspiration Prompt and Linkup #62: Lost and Found

A deaf cat wandered onto our porch several months ago. She's now a part of our family, but I often wonder where she came from, if she was lost when she showed up at our house or just dumped there by someone who no longer wished to care for her.

What kind of journey had she been on when she happened across my family? If she was lost, what was it like for her to be found?

This mystery made me think of this week's prompt: Lost and Found. For this prompt, we'd like you to tell the story of something that was lost (an animal, an item, a person) and then found. Use 500 words to take us on a short journey of discovery. You can share fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.

Flicker of Inspiration Linkup #61: Flash Finish

Hey all! The prompt this week is a Flash Fiction challenge! Get to writing now! Your goal is 300 words! Start with the word "Finish"!

Then link up! Same rules as always! Don't forget to comment! GO! Get writing!

Flicker of Inspiration Linkup #60: I Like

I like fishing and camping, video games and comics, building things and fixing things, grilling and baking, music and movies, cards and dice, pie and more pie. I like a lot of things; I like liking a lot of things, and I like to think about the things I like. It's all very positive; it can be very engaging to think and talk about things you dislike or hate, but I wouldn't call it "fun" generally. It's a lot of fun to talk with friends who like some of the things you like, or sharing things you like with people who didn't know about it. I just discovered the web comic Dresden Codak - have you read it? Sci-fi comic fans out there? just me? Allrighty then.

Back on topic, the theme this week is "I Like" and your task is to start your post with those words. Pretty straightforward; tell us about something you like. Not "like" as in Facebook; "like" as in "ooh, yeah, that's cool." Facebook is trying to steal one of the basic words of the English language for their own evil purposes, and we need to keep that from happening. So link up and share your "like" story with us and keep it alive and healthy!

Flicker of Inspiration Prompt #60: I Like

Do you like us? Of course; we're very likable, and the fact that you're here implies that you probably like us. But do you like like us? You ought to; it clues you in whenever we post something on our Facebook.

But to me, as popular as the "like" button is now, it doesn't really mean "like" the way I mean it. When I like something, I just like it. I don't necessarily need to publicize my liking of it, but I often do; that's what the "like" button used to be for. Now, when you "like" something like a brand name or a company's page or whatever, it's usually because they're giving away free cars or something to people who go on and like their page (leading to a meaningless inflation of their supposed status and a lot of ads in your news feed). That's a different thing entirely. I still hit the button on posts I think are fun sometimes, but it feels empty now.

So what I want you all to do this week is re-take the word "like". Take it back from Facebook and their corporate advertisers; take it back from teenagers who, like, use it as random, like, pause breaks in the middle of, like, sentences. Use the word as it should be: a vague but entirely positive feeling! (or in a simile, because that is also valid, but not the meaning I'm necessarily looking for)

Start off your post for Sunday's linkup with the words "I like" - write about something you like. Or several things. We'll set a word limit at about 500. See you here Sunday for the linkup!

Flicker of Inspiration Linkup #59: Wishing

Making wishes is fun, and it's something I think we've all done at least once or twice. Even the sarcastic, skeptical adults among us still have things they want and wish for; it's nothing to be ashamed of, it's part of being a person. When we stop wishing, we stop dreaming, we stop striving, and we stop trying. That's no way to live. So wish on, lightning bugs!

"Wishing" is the theme for the week, so share your "wishing" stories here! We're open until Wednesday; don't forget to read and comment as much as you can, and share our linkup on facebook and twitter! We'll be back again with another prompt later this week.

Flicker of Inspiration Prompt #59: Wishing

When I was a kid, one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving, other than the food (obviously), was breaking the wishbone. I also loved blowing out the candles on my birthday cake. I loved being able to make wishes and kind-of believe that they might come true. I don't think many did, until I started wishing for things like "I wish I had some pie and/or cake for dessert" (a wish I often make to this day). I still enjoyed wishing, though.

The theme for this week is "Wishing" - write us a piece, 800 words or less, about wishing. We link up Sunday, so we'll see you then!

Flicker of Inspiration Linkup #58: Eleven

Hey all! Linkup's late going up today; the CEO of Lightning Bug was stung by 11 yellow jackets. Coincidence? No, it's a lie; it was actually 7, but 11 would have been more on theme. Still, delay ensued. So I'll dispense with further cleverness and let you get right to the linkup! Standard procedure, link, read, share, comment, etc.

Flicker of Inspiration Prompt #58: Eleven

Hey everyone, ready for another Flicker prompt? We've got a special one this week:

Eleven


Like the number. Just like the number, actually. Exactly, even. You might go so far as to say that the number (11, that is) is in fact the prompt. Because it is. That's what's going on.

The theme for this week is eleven and eleven is the theme for this week. It comes before 12 but after 10, is half of 22 and about 11% of 100.

Can you tell a story in 11 words? Can you tell 11 stories in one word? Can you tell a story using only words with 11 letters? Can you tell an 11 using only letters of word story?

Go with that first one. Tell a story using exactly 11 words; if you like, write another short story (121 word limit - 11 x 11, we're very on-theme this week) to also fit the theme of 11 (they don't have to be related). We'll link it all up this Sunday, so good luck and we'll see you then!

Flicker of Inspiration #57: Speed Photo Prompt and Linkup

Hi, bugs! Hope everyone's having a good weekend.

This week we're bringing you another speed prompt, but this one has a twist. This time we're mashing up a photo with speed. We want you to look at the photo below. Let it take you somewhere. Let it tell you its story. Then, for ten solid minutes, write down words inspired by that photo. You can give us fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. Whatever the picture below stirs within you.

The linkup is just below the photo, and you'll have until Wednesday to link up your post. No word limit this week. Your only limit is time.

Source: flickr.com via Courtney on Pinterest

Flicker of Inspiration Linkup #56: The Thing With Feathers

This week you were asked to bring us Hope in 500 words or less. For a look at the original prompt, please click here.

I can't wait to read your entries. Simply link up below, and if you do link up, don't forget to visit and thoughtfully comment on at least three other entries. You have until Wednesday at midnight to link up.

Have fun!

Flicker of Inspiration Prompt #56: The Thing With Feathers

Source: couragehopestrength.tumblr.com via Hema on Pinterest

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune--without the words,

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard; 

And sore must be the storm 

That could abash the little bird 

That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land, 

And on the strangest sea; 

Yet, never, in extremity, 

It asked a crumb of me.

-Emily Dickinson

I don't remember ever hearing a metaphor that I love as much as this one about Hope. From Dickinson's words, I imagine Hope as a beautiful, exotic bird carrying with it the secret to life.

Hope can harbor many desires and needs and dreams. It can represent salvation and change. It can carry on its back an entire soul, lifting up sorrow and bringing back joy. 

This week your prompt is to take the word Hope and build a story around it. Like Dickinson, I'd like you to start your piece with the word Hope. Let that one word carry you and your piece to great things. You have 500 words to give us Hope. Choose them well.

Flicker of Inspiration Prompt and Linkup #55: To Dads

Happy Father's Day! This week you have another surprise/speed prompt, and it's all about Dad.

Your goal is to write in 400 words or less a fictional, nonfictional, or poetic piece describing a father. It can be a memory or moment with your own father or your children's father. It can be a fictional tribute to the father you always wished you had. It can be a poem dedicated to the importance of dads. The only requirement is that it includes a father in some way.

You have until Wednesday at midnight Eastern to link up, and if you link up, remember to read and thoughtfully comment on at least three other writers' pieces.

We look forward to reading your short and sweet post dedicated To Dads.

Flicker of Inspiration Linkup #54: Gone Fishin'

It wouldn't do for a linkup for a prompt about an absent-minded character to go up at a decent time, now would it? Yep, that's my excuse for being late, and I'm sticking to it.

This week your challenge was to include an absent-minded person/character in your piece, be it fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. I can't wait to see what everyone came up with!

The linkup is available until Wednesday, and remember, if you do participate, try to visit and thoughtfully comment on at least two or three other posts. Have fun!

Flicker of Inspiration Prompt #54: Gone Fishin'

Lately, it seems  like my mind is completely checked out when I need it. I've already spent half an hour on this prompt. The good news is, those two sentences look fantastic.

You should try to make use of my blankness. Someone needs to.

The theme this week is "Gone Fishin'" - write a story with an absent-minded character. The name doesn't exactly fit, but that's always what's written on the sign hanging in the empty brain area in cartoon characters' heads, often following a scene where the "mental bureaucracy" closes up for the day and all the parts of the brain put on their hats and go home.

So that's your prompt: write a story with a character whose brain-office isn't fully staffed, so to speak. No lights on in the attic. Twenty-six cards short of a full deck, a few ticks slower than a minute, you get the idea. They don't have to be outright stupid, just a bit absent-minded, but your character is your business; all I ask is that you write something to share with us this Sunday for the linkup. See you then!

Flicker of Inspiration Linkup #53: Pitch Perfect

Today's the day! Pitch us your novel or book idea in 250 words or less. We're looking for a descriptive paragraph or two that introduces us to a story or idea. Try to avoid sentences like "this book is about..." and really make us buy into your book.

Linkup is available through Sunday. Remember, if you link up to visit and thoughtfully comment on at least two other blogs.

Have fun!

Flicker of Inspiration Prompt #53: Pitch Perfect

Here's your chance, your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A literary agent has discovered your blog. She's captivated by your writing. She wants to sign you. But first, you have to prove yourself. She wants to hear the pitch for your book. You have 250 words to captivate her, capture her imagination, convince her of your amazing talent and that your book is going to be THE book that sells millions. 

This week your Flicker of Inspiration prompt is to give us a pitch. A perfect pitch. Think of the description on the back of your favorite novel, the words that make you buy that book for your Kindle, the short paragraphs that let you know you MUST read that book. 

Take the description of Cormac McCarthy's The Road:

"A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food-—and each other."

So give us your novel, your memoir, your non-fiction masterpiece in 250 words or less. Make us want to pick your book up; make that literary agent know she wants to represent you!

The linkup will be posted on Sunday. Come back and share your pitch!

Flicker of Inspiration #52: Speed Writing Prompt and Linkup

This week your Flicker of Inspiration prompt is all about speed. With the holiday weekend, we know you don't have much time to devote to writing. You have cookouts to go to and lakes to fish, but we don't want you to miss out on an opportunity to write.

So your prompt is this: Write. Write for ten minutes without stopping. Your topic can be anything. You can write about your weekend plans. You can write a short story about a chipmunk named December (which is what I plan to do). The important thing about this prompt is just writing. Get your thoughts down on paper and share them with us. Don't edit. Don't polish. Just write.

For those who might need an extra push, use the word "speed" for inspiration.

Happy Speed Writing! The linkup is available until Wednesday.

Flicker of Inspiration Linkup #51: Now What?

Your prompt this week was to write a story that begins after the established end of a different story that already exists. For example, you could write about what happens after Thelma and Louise go for their last drive together - granted, they might not be in that story, but the fallout of that scene is probably full of potential drama.

Write your piece to link up; we stay open until Wednesday night. Once you're linked up, go ahead and read the other linkers and try to leave a few comments. There's always a chance that more folks will come by later, especially if you help us advertise on Facebook and Twitter, so you might check back over the next few days to see if anyone else links up.

Flicker of Inspiration Prompt #51: Now What?

"Let me know if you get to 60"

Well, Flicker of Inspiration has hit and now passed its first major milestone, leading everyone - journalists, pundits, world leaders, civil war veterans, bas reliefs, lolcats - to speculate on its future.

We're going to keep going, basically. Life is like that. You go on, and sometimes you get to a point and it's like, "huh, that's neat," and then you keep going while you can.

Stories aren't like that. They end, for good or for ill, while things are still more or less interesting. The prince and the princess live happily ever after; Pinocchio becomes a real boy; the cat and the mouse aren't friends but they both live to fight again tomorrow.

But "Happily ever after" is whitewash; nobody can really be happy and nothing else forever. The old king must one day die, leaving the prince to become King in his place, which is all kinds of tragedy and drama. Further, the former prince has to govern the kingdom and struggle with the demands of his new role. This is a totally different story than what has preceded, but equally important to the characters and potentially equally interesting to the reader.

I want you to take any well-known story - book, movie, legend, fable, limerick - and begin a new story that begins after the end of the original. What does Pinocchio do once he's a real boy? How does the Frog Prince deal with the psychological after-effects of his condition? What goes on in Candy Castle?

You can do anything you want with your story, introduce any new characters or plot points, even aliens. Just begin where another story ended, and come back Sunday for the linkup!